Ive never been to Manitoba, but went to Alaska, it seems that if you are early, not as many bears are out of their dens yet, but if your too late the early ones will have rubs and dont look nice. I think it will depend on the weather, if they have had a mild winter they may start coming out a week or two earlier but if its a bad spring they may stay in a little longer. Just a little something to think about, you may not have the opportunity to set the date at a later time but if you do, Id call about the weather in the area your hunting.